Printer Driver Auto-Mode Configuration via Connection Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Users of print systems face excessive effort in setting operation modes for image forming devices, as they need to configure modes every time they print, especially when they cannot determine the default mode or set an improper one, leading to inefficiency.
Innovation Solution
An information processing device with a connection mode detecting unit and an operation mode setting unit that automatically sets the normal or secure mode based on the connection mode, reducing user effort by determining the mode at the time of driver installation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If users manually set operation mode every time printing is performed, then flexibility and control are improved, but user effort and time consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by detecting the connection mode during driver installation and automatically setting the operation mode in advance. The connection mode detecting unit identifies whether the printer is connected via network or USB, and the operation mode setting unit pre-configures the appropriate mode (secure mode for network, normal mode for USB) before actual printing operations begin, eliminating the need for users to manually set modes each time
Solution Approach 2:
The system applies self-service by enabling the information processing device to automatically determine and configure its own operation mode based on connection detection. The driver installing unit performs self-configuration by selecting appropriate operation modes according to the detected connection type, allowing the system to serve itself without requiring user intervention for mode selection
2Reliability
If secure mode is set as default for network connection, then confidentiality is improved, but user convenience deteriorates due to required certification
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by configuring different operation modes according to specific connection scenarios. Network connections (where confidentiality is critical) automatically receive secure mode with certification requirements, while USB connections (where convenience is prioritized) receive normal mode without certification. This localized configuration matches security measures to specific connection contexts rather than applying a uniform approach
3Productivity
If operation mode is automatically set based on connection mode, then user effort is reduced, but complexity of driver installation increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the connection mode detection function and operation mode setting function into the driver installation process. By combining these functions into a single integrated installation workflow, the system avoids adding separate configuration steps or tools, thereby reducing overall complexity while achieving automatic mode configuration that improves printing efficiency
Data Source
AI summary
An information processing device configured to be connected with an image forming device includes a connection mode detecting unit detecting what kind of a connection mode is established between the information processing device and the image forming device, an operation mode setting unit setting one of a normal mode in which the image forming device performs the image forming operation without user certification and a secure mode in which the image forming device performs the image forming operation after successful user certification, as an operation mode in which the image forming device is controlled to perform an image forming operation, depending on the kind of the connection mode detected, and a driver installing unit installing a driver into the information processing device such that the driver controls the image forming device to perform the image forming operation in the mode set by the operation mode setting unit.